Spud Bros release Christmas charity dementia song

The Spud Bros say they want to "spread dementia awareness and bring people together through music, food and kindness" after launching a Christmas single with Line of Duty star Vicky McClure.

Jacob and Harley Nelson have gained millions of followers worldwide since going viral on TikTok in 2020, showcasing their business selling jacket potatoes from an old tram carriage in Preston, Lancashire.

The brothers, whose grandmother is living with dementia, said they wanted to "create something really special" with actor McClure and her Our Dementia Choir to raise money and awareness.

"We've seen how music can lift spirits, unlock memories and spark connection," they said.

The Spud Bros now boast eight million followers across their social media platforms, including 4.8 million on TikTok alone.

This season the avid football fans are the front-of-shirt sponsor for their beloved Preston North End.

They credit their dad, known as the "Spudfather", for their unlikely fame as he was the one who started the TikTok account, gaining 60,000 followers with his "dad dancing" and "dressing up in some questionable costumes".

Jacob said the idea for the charity single, Brighter Than The Night, came to them one day when a couple approached their "tater tram" while they were filming serving their last potato of the day.

"An old couple came over and, as they were walking across, we noticed the lady was a bit timid, so I just asked if she was OK and her partner said she'd just fallen over," he said.

"He said 'She's got Alzheimer's' and it was a bit personal to us because our grandma also suffers with Alzheimer's."

Jacob said the brothers understood dementia "doesn't just affect the person who's got it, it affects everybody around".

The video of that conversation went viral, with 20 million views, and "the support from the community was amazing," he said.

A few months later, McClure followed the Spud Bros on Instagram "and we were like 'is she a fan?'", Jacob said. "So we messaged her and she said 'absolutely I'm a fan' and we're a fan of her.

"We knew she works with Our Dementia Choir so we were 'like let's do something, bring our teams in, let's create something really special'.

"Vicky's team and our team just came together and it was amazing."

Spud Bros team member Huw Roberts performs alongside members of the choir on the single with the tater topping siblings "in the background, trying to sing", or as Harley put it "more kind of shouting".

"It was an amazing day," he said of the recording session in London. "Music brings everyone together. We fed them potatoes and had a laugh. They were all hilarious. They were cracking out some jokes."

McClure said the result was "the most beautiful song, so festive, so positive".

The actor was inspired to form Our Dementia Choir after caring for her grandmother.

The choir has been the subject of a 2019 BBC documentary, which looked at issues surrounding dementia care.

McClure has previously said: "We should never underestimate the transformative and healing power of music.

"Music can uplift people living with dementia, change their mood and bring them joy.

"This is the reason why I started Our Dementia Choir and why it remains so close to my heart."

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